Physical Therapist Salary in Gallatin, TN: $96,847 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Gallatin, TN earns a median $96,847/year (≈ $46.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Gallatin's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $105,498 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gallatin, Tennessee, the projected median annual salary for a physical therapist in 2026 is set at $96,847, presenting a competitive option for professionals in the field. The salary range spans from around $71,263 for entry-level positions to $125,986 for those at the top of the pay scale. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional cost differences. Notably, while Gallatin's median salary is lower than the national median of $105,288, the growth trends suggest a robust opportunity for earning potential as demand for physical therapy services, particularly in cash-pay specialties like sports and orthopedics, continues to expand.
About the Gallatin Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,263 | $34.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,889 | $40.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,847 | $46.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,372 | $54.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,986 | $60.57 |
Median Salary Position
8.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gallatin
In Gallatin, TN, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,723 (2026 est.). At $96,847, the local median is 8.02% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gallatin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gallatin Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Gallatin median: $96,847/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gallatin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $99,843 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -8.02% less |
Physical Therapists in Gallatin, TN earn a median of $96,847 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.02% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 3.00% below the Tennessee state average of $99,843.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gallatin has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gallatin, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $96,847 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,498 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,270
2025 BLS Actual
$94,522
2026 Current Est.
$96,847
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Gallatin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,714 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,954 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,886 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,717 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,893 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,522 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,847 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,230 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gallatin metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $82,270 (2019) to $94,522 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,230 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,960 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gallatin metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $71,263 – $84,889 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,889 – $96,847 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,847 – $114,372 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,372 – $125,986 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Gallatin
The job market in Gallatin currently employs 11 physical therapists, reflecting a niche but steady demand for rehabilitation services. With a cost-of-living index at 91.8, living expenses are below the national average, which enhances the take-home purchasing power of local salaries. Top employers such as outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab facilities generally offer the highest compensation, often incentivized through productivity bonuses and potential cash-pay models. The disparity in earnings largely stems from varying expectations for productivity, board certifications like OCS or SCS, and the differences between clinics emphasizing insurance versus those operating on a direct cash-pay model. Professionals looking to maximize their pay in Gallatin should consider obtaining additional certifications, aligning with outpatient services, or negotiating performance-based incentives inherent in private practices.
More salary data for Gallatin, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Alex Morgan, DPT
Career Analyst
Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $94,522 for physical therapistsin the Gallatin metropolitan area. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Gallatin is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov